- Louder Than Bombs · 1984
- The Queen Is Dead · 1986
- The Sound of The Smiths · 1984
- The Smiths · 1983
- Louder Than Bombs · 1984
- Hatful of Hollow · 1985
- Louder Than Bombs · 1984
- The Queen Is Dead · 1986
- The Queen Is Dead · 1986
- The Queen Is Dead (Deluxe Edition) · 1986
- The Smiths · 1984
- The Queen Is Dead · 1986
- Hatful of Hollow · 1984
Essential Albums
- For their third studio album, The Smiths subtly expanded their sound for the epic structure of the title track. While still at their best as a singles act, the band could also pull off a cohesive, flowing album and The Queen is Dead remains the band’s most dramatic one, addressing Morrissey’s concerns with everything from stardom (“Frankly, Mr. Shankly”) to celibacy (“Never Had No One Ever”) to his usual arsenal of limitless self-pity (“Bigmouth Strikes Again”). He even proclaims to “know how Joan of Arc felt.” This self-parodic approach pays humorous dividends and works best on the thrilling tingle of the incredibly romantic “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” where he dreamily croons “If a double-decker bus crashes into us / to die by your side / such a heavenly way to die.” There simply was never a band as openly confessional and conversational, so willfully sincere and cheeky. The forlorn, yearning hangover that haunts “The Boy With the Thorn in His Side,” the goofy empathy of "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others," and the inevitable “I Know It’s Over” make The Queen is Dead among the era’s most fascinating releases.
- The Smiths would prove themselves as a singles act, releasing an onslaught of infectious tunes that mostly escaped inclusion on their studio albums. The unusually funky (by Smiths standards) and hauntingly tremolo-ed “How Soon is Now?” was appended to the American release of the British quartet’s second album and it’s a welcomed addition, as much of Meat is Murder is ruled by some odd obsessive turns. The title track is a heavy-handed pronouncement for vegetarianism, while the brilliantly sad “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” and the futile pleas of “I Want the One I Can’t Have” expose the strengths and weaknesses of Morrissey’s fearless, unrelenting attack against societal norms. He’s a sad, passionate man beautifully backed by a rhythm section that never attempts to move beyond its carefully constructed grooves — all while providing the ideal template for the melodic wanderings of guitarist Johnny Marr and, of course, Morrissey, who uses these backings to deliver witty, conflicted observations and feelings until it’s all Morrissey’s world and we just listen to it.
- Released just months after The Smiths’ debut album, this collection of non-LP B-sides and singles finds Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr brilliantly blending deceptively simple motifs with literate, trenchant lyrics. From the anthemic art-pop of “How Soon Is Now?” to the cockeyed, quasi-R&B of “This Night Has Opened My Eyes,” every song here is hummable and melancholic in equal measure. Unquenchable yearning on “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want,” the ironic narcissism of “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”—the moods and themes gel effortlessly too.
Albums
- 1986
- 1985
- 1984
- 2014
- 2014
- 2014
- 2014
- 2014
Artist Playlists
- It's hard to believe this unrivaled band were only together for five years.
- Piece together the musical backbone of an indie-rock giant.
- Morrissey and Marr's fingerprints are everywhere.
Live Albums
- 1988
Compilations
- 2014
- 2011
- 1987
- 1984
More To Hear
- Their work, lasting presence, and music that followed.
- Ezra and Jake talk with Johnny Marr, plus a Goldfish taste test.
- The legendary Marr joins Matt for the release of Call The Comet.
- A soundtrack for you featuring The B-52s, The Smiths, and Queen.
- The Smiths' guitarist in a candid chat.
About The Smiths
The Smiths were the definitive British indie rock band of the '80s, marking the end of synth-driven new wave and the beginning of the guitar-based rock that dominated English rock into the '90s. The group's core members, vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, were obsessive rock fans inspired by the D.I.Y. ethics of punk, but they also had a fondness for girl groups, pop, and rockabilly. They also represented one of the strangest collaborative teams in rock history: Marr was the rock traditionalist, meticulously layering his guitar tracks in the studio. Morrissey, on the other hand, embraced the forlorn, romantic poetry of Oscar Wilde. While it led to the Smiths' early demise, their friction resulted in a flurry of music that provided the blueprint for British rock in the following decade.
- ORIGIN
- Manchester, England
- FORMED
- 1982
- GENRE
- Alternative